Concealed elevated post base bracket

ABSTRACT

Pending structural engineer approval, the invention replaces previous technology for creating vertical separation between concrete or soil and exposed structural wood posts. Previous accommodations for this requirement call for obtrusive raised concrete bases (considerably wider than the posts themselves) under the posts. Such bases create the potential for personal injury and are visually unappealing. The bracket base is of equal size and shape to the bottom of the cross-cut wood post. The single center-mounted bolting strap allows for recessing the nuts, bolts, and washers flush to the outside of the post. There are, thus, continuous planes along the four sides of the post from its top to the bottom of the exposed bracket. The entire post and bracket can be clad with any suitable material (wood, manufactured sidings, aluminum, vinyl, etc.) to conceal the entire bracket and structural post.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention pertains to the field of building construction. Structural engineers and local building codes may require a minimum of 6″ vertical separation distance between concrete or soil (at grade) and exposed structural wood posts to prevent rotting of the wood post. To meet this requirement, prior art requires a non-aesthetically pleasing and potentially unsafe raised concrete curb or platform at the base of a steel bracket-mounted wood post.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention achieves this requirement and also provides for an aesthetically pleasing and potentially safer solution by eliminating the concrete platform and completely concealing the otherwise unappealing appearance of the invention and its mechanical fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the “Concealed Elevated Post Base Bracket”.

FIG. 2 shows a side section view. These figures depict the invention, some variations, and its suggested use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention consists of three basic parts: anchor, base, and bolting strap. When welded together, they form the bracket. The bracket can be made to accommodate the various standard sizes of wood posts (nominally known as 4×4, 6×6, 8×8, etc.) The anchor portion of the bracket is set in a fresh concrete footing or foundation prior to pouring concrete.

The base rests above grade with the bolting strap welded atop it. Threaded rods, anchor bolts, or other devices can be mounted to the bottom of the anchor if additional embedment is required.

For retrofit applications, a variation of the bracket can have a threaded rod mounted vertically to the bottom of the base in lieu of the standard anchor. The bracket can then be epoxy-set into a suitable existing footing or foundation.

The bracket can be manufactured using readily available raw steel and standard welding techniques. 

1. I claim that this invention provides an improved method of achieving vertical separation distance between concrete or soil and an exposed structural wood post while allowing for aesthetically pleasing concealment of the bracket and its fasteners. 